• Overview
  • Pre-session documents
  • Multi-Stakeholder Day
  • Lunch time events

OEWG dates: Tuesday, 24 June, 2025 - Friday, 27 June, 2025

Venue: Convention and Exhibition Centre in Punta del Este, Uruguay

Hybrid events: Some Multi-Stakeholder Day and Lunch time events are available to attend online. Please refer to the above tabs for details.

The first meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) for the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) will be held from 24–27 June 2025 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The event is open to all stakeholders committed to sustainable global chemicals management, particularly professionals representing governments, industry, health and labour, business and industry associations, academia, and non-governmental associations.

The OEWG will include discussions and work on the Framework’s resolutions, including those focused on implementation programmes, the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides, the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund, and the Gender Action Plan. Participants will also focus on emerging policy issues, capacity building, and the integration of safe and sustainable chemicals management practices across economic and industrial sectors, including textiles, agriculture, and finance. There will also be preparations for the International Conference scheduled for late 2026.  

Information for participants uploaded 22nd April 2025

Prior to the conference, 22-23 (morning) June, the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) will host a global multi-stakeholder workshop to develop a GFC Implementation Programme for “Strengthening National Chemicals Legislation and Institutional Capacities". For more information please visit the IOMC website.

On the afternoon of 23 June 2025, technical briefings have been planned successively on the GFC Fund (12:30 to 13:30) and on measurability and indicators (13:30 to 15:30). Following those briefings, from 15:30 to 18:00 space is available for informal regional and stakeholder consultations.

Please note that the GFC OEWG will be held back-to-back with the resumed third session of the ad hoc Open-Ended Working Group of the science-policy panel to contribute further to the safe and sustainable management of chemicals and waste. 

Registration for self funded registrants - extended to Friday 30th May. For details of how to register please refer to the Information for participants document.

For more information, please visit the Global Framework on Chemicals website or contact the secretariat at unep-gfc.secretariat@un.org

Working Documents

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/1 - Provisional Agenda (Advance) - posted 24 April 2025

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/1/Add.1 - Annotated provisional agenda (Advance) - posted 13 May 2025

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/2 - Financial Consideration (Advance) - posted 12 May 2025

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/3 - Global Framework on Chemicals Fund and status of contributions (Advance) - posted 12 May 2025

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/4 - Gender Action Plan (Advance) - posted 12 May 2025

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/5 - Emerging policy issues and issues of concern (Advance) - posted 13 May 2025

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/6 - International cooperation and coordination: interlinkages and activities to implement the Global Framework on Chemicals (Advance) - posted 5th May

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG. 1/7 - National focal points (Advance) - posted 5th May 2025

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/8 - Implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals (Advance) - posted 9th May

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/9 - Measurability structure (Advance) - posted 5th May

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/10 - Global alliance on highly hazardous pesticides (Advance) - posted 9th May

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/11 - Programme of work, staffing and budget - posted 15th May

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/12 - Capacity building (Advance) - posted 5th May

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/13 - Preparations for the first session of the International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals (Advance) - posted 5th May

English

Information Documents

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/INF/1 - Tentative schedule of work - posted 15 May 2025

English

UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/INF/4 - Global Framework on Chemicals Fund - posted 19 May 2025

English

The Multi-Stakeholder Day takes place Thursday 26 June 2025

Join us for a day of interactive, sector-focused discussions and expert-led masterclasses on how chemicals and waste management can support sustainability across global value chains. The hybrid sessions below are open to virtual participants.

In addition to hybrid events on the Multi- Stakeholder Day, there also hybrid events taking place at lunch time on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. See the Lunch Time Events tab above.

A detailed view of the schedule is below. Please click here for a quick view.

All times below are given in Uruguay time (UTC-3)


09:00–09:45

  1. Plenary: Introduction to the day’s sessions and events

    This session will be in the form of a plenary and will outline the objectives, themes, and structure of the day’s dialogues and workshops.

    Location: Auditorio 1+2


10:00–11:15 - Three concurrent hybrid sessions on cross-cutting thematic areas:

  1. Knowledge-Sharing on Priority Chemicals of Concern (HYBRID)

    Presentation and discussion on identifying priority chemicals, sharing existing initiatives, and exploring criteria for chemicals of concern.

    Location: Auditorio 3

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event

     

  2. Transparency and Traceability Along Value Chains (HYBRID)

    Knowledge-sharing session, including on the identification of user groups along value chains and their chemical information needs along value chains.

    Location: Auditorio 4

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event

     

  3. Disclosure and Reporting Standards/Frameworks (HYBRID)

    Session on enhancing disclosure standards for improved traceability of chemical use across value chains.

    Location: Jaguel 1+2

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event


11:30–12:45

  1. Green and Sustainable Chemistry Innovations and Solutions (HYBRID)

    Exploring different green and sustainable chemistry frameworks and discussion of workstream activities.

    Location: Auditorio 3

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event

     

  2. Chemical Footprint Approaches (HYBRID)

    Knowledge-sharing on existing chemical footprint approaches, and discussion of activities within the workstream such as guidance to provide options to measure aspects of the chemical footprint and supporting industry disclosure.

    Location: Auditorio 4

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event

     

  3. Private Sector Financing (HYBRID)

    Session on shifting finance towards sustainable chemicals management.

    Location: Jaguel 1+2

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event


13:00–13:45

  1. Masterclass 1: Chemical Footprinting Methodologies (HYBRID)

    The Master Class aims to raise awareness about the differences among different chemical footprint approaches and highlights the importance of understanding key differences of the approaches in supporting better chemicals management and decision-making.  

    Location: Auditorio 3

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event

     

  2. Masterclass 2: Finance and Sustainable Chemicals Management (HYBRID)

    Best practises to shift financial flows to sustainable chemicals management

    Location: Auditorio 4

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event


14:00–14:45

  1. Fireside Chats - Sustainable Chemistry Innovation

    Two informal sessions with entrepreneurs sharing their journey, challenges, and lessons learned.

    Location: La Barra 2

     

  2. Unlocking the Construction Chemicals Connection: Addressing Hidden Risks and Market Opportunities (HYBRID)

    Summary to follow

    Location: Auditorio 3

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event

     

  3. Integrating Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) in Implementation Programmes (HYBRID)

    A focus on how OSH principles can be integrated into the implementation programmes, feeding into the specific sectoral implementation programmes, such as health, textiles, and electronics.

    Location: Jaguel 1 + 2

    Please click here and select 'Join as a guest' to attend this Webex hybrid event


15:00–16:30

  1. Electronic Industry Sector Workshop (HYBRID)

    Workshop and panel on scaling circular electronics, financing circularity, innovative technologies for circularity, and policy and global alignment.

    Location: Auditorio 2

    Please select 'Join as a guest' when attending this Hybrid event
    https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=mb4fa7b04d3507114ba9c246ce4f5681a

     

  2. Textile Industry Sector Workshop (HYBRID)

    Interactive session on managing hazardous chemicals in textiles.

    Location: Auditorio 4

    Please select 'Join as a guest' when attending this Hybrid event
    https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=m616c1ef4e2c84f1d5ab408fc871cd9b2

     

  3. Healthcare Industry Sector Workshop (HYBRID)

    Interactive session on chemical safety in the health sector.

    Location: Jaguel 1+2

    Please select 'Join as a guest' when attending this Hybrid event
    https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=m2f3665ece5235a49ad3c03e5a4f39d07

     


16:45–18:15

  1. Breakout Groups and Working Sessions

    Activities and working sessions on following each industry sector discussion

    Locations: Jaguel 1+2 and additional breakout rooms


18:30–20:00

  1. Reception TBD

    Evening networking reception for all participants.

 

Hybrid lunch time events and masterclasses will take place on each day of the OEWG.

Join these sessions for interactive, focused discussions on how chemicals and waste management can support sustainability.

All times below are given in Uruguay time (UTC-3)


Tuesday, 24 June

13:00-13.45

1. Occupational Safety and Health Legal Frameworks (HYBRID)

This session will look at how national OSH legal frameworks can contribute to the safe and sustainable management of chemicals.

Location: Auditorio 3

Please select 'Join as a guest' when attending this Hybrid event
https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=m5330c2d4ad742780a75c61efe9de0e6a

14:00-14.45

2. Masterclass: Regulatory Compliance and Trade: India’s Chemical Regulatory Landscape: Industry-Government Synergy and Regional Perspectives (HYBRID)

This workshop will bring together a wide array of stakeholders relevant to the development and implementation of chemicals legislation, with a strong regional and global orientation.

Location: Auditorio 3

Please select 'Join as a guest' when attending this Hybrid event
https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=m0741fece7edb714145b86f0644ece007 


Wednesday, 25 June

13:00-13.45

1. Stakeholder Engagement and Planning of Actions on Issues of Concern: Highly Hazardous Pesticides and Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) (HYBRID)

This session will inform stakeholders about progress in establishing the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides and to gain their feedback on the Operational Framework and focal work areas. Furthermore, the event aims to explore how the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides and its stakeholders can further develop and implement an action plan with clear targets and milestones.

Location: Auditorio 3

Please select 'Join as a guest' when attending this Hybrid event
https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=m40ed6ac35da1f028be6f91758355c885 

14:00-14.45

2. Masterclass: Data Transparency and Traceability (HYBRID)

Location: Auditorio 3

Please select 'Join as a guest' when attending this Hybrid event
https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=mda0c79deb2cb813cae4dbf35cb41012d


Friday, 27 June

13:00-13.45

  1. Advancing the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HYBRID)

    Location: Auditorio 3

    Please select 'Join as a guest' when attending this Hybrid event
    https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=m7f61b60ee0ef7ae49f0cd3fc071f6beb

14:00-14.45

  1. Masterclass: Setting up networks for GFC Implementation (HYBRID)

    Location: Auditorio 3

    Please select 'Join as a guest' when attending this Hybrid event
    https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=m5775a9bbf102981b61448e26c044811c